Welcome to the blog! This is going to be a diary of my year studying abroad in Amiens, France. This is now my fourth day in Amiens and it’s been an emotional rollercoaster since I left England. I never thought I would struggle – I’ve been banging on for years about how much I love France and how I’d love to live there…but now I’m here I just want to go home again. I’m sure it’s just settling in nerves and trying to figure out unfamiliar systems but it has seemed over the last couple of days that not many people want to make me welcome here.
When we first arrived on Thursday I filled out some forms and got the keys to my accomodation, which is about the easiest and best thing about the process so far. It’s a nice, clean, new room and it’s starting to feel like a safe haven. The problems started once I tried to get registered with the university and get all my details to get online. Basically I got passed from pillar to post having to explain to a new person each time what my situation was. Every time I got told something different and sent to a different person. After 24hours of this I was getting really pissed off and losing my patience. Finally I found the international office and they registered me, I got my student card and some useful leaflets, and the information I needed to get online. I still can’t believe how many pieces of misinformation I was given though – if people don’t know they should say so instead of sending me on a wild goose chase!
I still don’t know when or where any of my lectures are – all I’ve been told is although in principle they start on Monday, basically the lecturers haven’t done the timetables yet and all I can do is go and ask each faculty’s secretary if it’s ready. A really efficient system, I’m sure you’ll agree.
The city of Amiens is very nice; it has a river and lots of open spaces, some green and some paved; lots of shops and bars and restaurants. Overall I think living here will be good but I have to conclude from my experience over the last few days that the education system is crap.
